AirFest 2025 Brings the First Jet Fighter in History to Cape May Airport
If you’re into vintage planes, history, or just cool stuff with wings, mark your calendar. AirFest 2025 is touching down at the Cape May Airport from Thursday, August 28, through Sunday, August 31.
This year’s lineup is seriously something to see.
AirFest 2025 Brings the First Jet Fighter in History to Cape May Airport
Hosted by the Naval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) Aviation Museum, AirFest is their biggest event of the year and for good reason.
It’s part airshow, part living museum, part hangout spot for aviation lovers and curious families alike.
Whether you’ve been going for years or this is your first time hearing about it, 2025 is the year you don’t want to miss.
This Year’s Headliner: A Jet That Changed Everything
At the top of this year’s bill is something truly historic: the Messerschmitt Me 262. Never heard of it? This plane was the first operational jet fighter in history, and it completely changed aerial combat during World War II.
While American and British planes were still running on props, this German-engineered jet was blazing through the skies at over 500 mph, leaving everything else in the dust.
The Me 262 came into the war late, so it didn’t affect the outcome much, but it absolutely changed the direction of aircraft design and strategy going forward. Very few exist today, and even fewer are airworthy. Just seeing it in person is a rare opportunity.
The Me 262 isn’t the only aircraft making headlines this year. The rest of the lineup is just as exciting.
Goodyear FG-1D Corsair
Nicknamed “Whistling Death” because of the eerie sound it made during dives, the Corsair was one of the most iconic fighter planes of World War II.
It served in both the Navy and Marine Corps and even flew out of NAS Wildwood during the war. Its unique bent wings and powerful engine made it a serious force in the Pacific theater.
C-53 “Beach City Baby”
If you’ve seen a DC-3 before, this is its military sibling. The C-53 was used to transport troops and equipment during the war, and “Beach City Baby” is a beautifully restored example.
It even has its original wartime interior, which guests can explore during interior tours. It’s essentially a flying museum piece that tells its own story.
SNJ / AT-6 Texan
This aircraft is a symbol of training and preparation. Used to train thousands of pilots during World War II, including many right here at NAS Wildwood, the Texan is painted bright yellow and is hard to miss on the runway. It’s a regular at AirFest and always a crowd favorite.
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Fuji LM-1 “Nikko”
This is a Japanese postwar trainer aircraft, and it’s rare. Only three are currently airworthy in the United States, which makes seeing one a special experience.
It’s a smaller, more streamlined plane with Cold War-era roots and a very different look from the American warbirds.
B-25J SandBar Mitchell (Nose and Turret)
While the full aircraft isn’t flying just yet, Warbirds of Glory is currently restoring a B-25J, and they’ll be bringing the nose and turret section to AirFest.
It’s a chance to see a medium bomber from World War II up close, and to learn about the restoration process from the folks who are doing the work.
Fly-Ins and Surprise Guests
One of the coolest things about AirFest is that you never know what might show up. Alongside the headliners, visitors can expect a variety of aircraft like Navy helicopters, Yak-52 trainers, PT-26s, and TB-30 Epsilons.
Saturday is when things usually get really interesting, thanks to a fly-in from the Aero Club of Pennsylvania and members of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
There will also be appearances from community partners like AtlantiCare, the Cape May County Mosquito Commission, and possibly the New Jersey State Police and U.S. Coast Guard, depending on scheduling and weather.
More Than Just Planes
AirFest isn’t just for aviation buffs. It’s a great time for anyone looking for a fun day out. There will be food trucks, museum exhibits, vendors, and hands-on activities for kids.
The entire event takes place at the NASW Aviation Museum, located in historic Hangar 1, which served as a U.S. Navy dive-bomber training base during WWII. The museum honors the 42 aviators who lost their lives while training there from 1943 to 1945.
Event Info and Tickets
AirFest 2025 runs from Thursday, August 28 through Sunday, August 31, from 10 AM to 4 PM daily, at the Cape May Airport in Lower Township.
The event is supported by the J. Byrne Insurance Agency, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Cape May County Division of Culture and Heritage.
For the latest schedule, ticket info, and aircraft updates, head to www.usnasw.org/airfest or follow Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum on social media.